Educational Science

Hawaii's erupting Kilauea volcano is spewing 'vog' and may launch dangerous glass shards

In a fiery and ongoing eruption, Hawaii's Kilauea volcano began spewing lava on June 7, sending molten rock to the surrounding crater and reaching temperatures as high as 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit (1,150 degrees Celsius), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Kilauea, located on Hawaii's Big Island, is one of...

Were Neanderthals really killed off by Campi Flegrei, Europe's awakening 'supervolcano'?

Deep beneath Earth's surface, the Campi Flegrei supervolcano near the city of Naples might be slowly stirring into life. This epic volcano has a devastating history, and some experts believe an eruption 40,000 years ago could have played a role in the extinction of the Neanderthals. But did it really...

A long-slumbering supervolcano in Italy is getting closer to a potential eruption for the first time since 1538, a new study warns — and the consequences could be catastrophic. The Campi Flegrei volcano, near Naples in southern Italy, has crust that is becoming weaker and more prone to rupturing, making...

Scientists discover giant crater from ice age explosion that has methane-spewing mud volcano inside it

Ocean explorers in the Arctic have discovered an underwater volcano spewing mud and methane from inside another, larger crater that probably formed after a catastrophic blowout at the end of the last ice age. Researchers spotted the unusual feature about 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of Norway's Bear Island, or...

Yellowstone supervolcano magma chamber has far more melted rock than thought

The amount of melted rock beneath Yellowstone's supervolcano is far higher than previous estimates, a new study has found. While researchers say there is no sign of an imminent eruption, the discovery provides a more detailed view of what's going on in the enormous magma chamber that sits beneath the...

Yellowstone volcano super-eruptions appear to involve multiple explosive events

The last super-eruption at Yellowstone volcano, which occurred 631,000 years ago, was not one huge explosion. Instead, new research suggests it was a series of eruptions or multiple vents spewing volcanic material in rapid succession. According to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2022 Annual Report, published May...

Earth's newest 'baby' volcano is painting Iceland's Fagradalsfjall region with incandescent lava

Earth's newest volcano has been born via a brand new volcanic fissure that opened up on Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula, spewing fountains of molten rock from the ground. The event marks the third year in a row that the underlying Fagradalsfjall lava field has erupted. The latest eruption occurred on Monday...

Ground beneath Italy’s awakening 'supervolcano' rose 66 feet before its last eruption

The ground around Italy’s awakening supervolcano rose by up to 66 feet (20 meters) before its previous eruption, a new study has revealed. In 1538, the ground below Campi Flegrei, near Naples, swelled to a breaking point then burst, burying the Roman-era village of Tripergole beneath a torrent of muddy...

Scientists discover ancient, underwater volcano is still active — and covered in up to a million giant eggs

Researchers exploring an ancient, underwater volcano off the Pacific coast of Canada have discovered it is still active — and covered in thousands of giant eggs. Before the expedition, the team thought the volcano was extinct and the waters around it frigid. However, they found the underwater mountain — which...